Method of distillation



G. F. RENDALL.

METHOD OF DISTILLATION. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 13. 19!].

Patenped May 3, 1921.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE F. KENDALL, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO CARBON PRODUCTS COMPANY A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

METHOD OF DISTILLATION.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 3. 1921.

To all whom it may concern:

Be 'it known that I, GEORGE F. RENDALL,

Method of Distillation, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to a novel method of the distillation of substances, such as coal, peat or other carbonaceous materials, containing solid and other volatile carbons, which can be separated by heat and then removed by a current of fluid preferably air or steam.

My invention further provides for the removal of the volatile contents by a current of steam, preferably superheated, adapted to be passed intermittently or in a continuous stream through the retort which I employ, thereby enabling the volatile products to be separated from the more solid and heavier compounds.

A still further object of my invention provides for the passage of steam through the heated material in the retort to carry off the creosote product and other oils therefrom, means being arranged in relation to said retort for the reception of said oil products according to their specific gravities, whereby efficiency in operation and great economy in distillation is attained, said creosote product being collected in the first vessel it enters, while the higher and heavier oils, after leaving the retort, are precipitated according to their gravities, all the content of the material used being saved in solid or liquid form.

For the purpose of illustrating my invention, I have shown in the accompanying drawing one form of apparatus which may be employed in carrying out my novel method, since the same will be found in practice to give satisfactory and reliable results, although it is to be understood that the various instrumentalities of said apparatus can be variously arranged and organized and that the apparatus em loyed in carrying out my invention is not imited to the precise arrangement and organization of these instrumentalities as herein shown and described.

The drawing represents a side elevation, partly in section. of an apparatus, wherein my novel method may be carried out.

Referring to the drawing. in which is yided Wit shown the preferred arrangement of the apparatus wherein my novel method of distlllatlon is effected, 1 designates a furnace 1n which is located a retort 2 preferably composed of a suitable clay'or other material capable of withstanding high heat'and lnternal pressurewithout cracking and enabllng the material to be internally cooled without cracking the outer shell. 3 designates a combustion chamber wherein combustlon for heating the retort 2 is carried on preferably by gas of the producer type. Other means of combustion 'or heating may be utilized, such as coal fuel fed into the conibustion chamber 3 through the fire door 4 onto the grate or perforated partition 5, below which is located a closed gas chamber 6.

7 deslgnates a feed pipe for the supply of gas in the chamber 6, which gas is adapted to be discharged through the perforations 8 of the grate or partition 5 into the combustion chamber 3 for the purposes of combustion. 9 desi nates an orifice or pipe for the discharge 0 preheated air into the gas to aid combustion. 10 designates a chimney for the discharge or withdrawal of used gases from the furnace.

The retort 2 is provided with a manhole 11 for the reception of carbonaceous material, such as bituminous coal, subject to distillation. 12 designates a manhole for enabling the extraction of solid products from the retort and 13 designates a manhole for enabling the extraction of liquids, such as tar, creosote, or the like. after distillation of the carbonaceous material.

14 designates a steam boiler for the generation of steam, preferably highly superheated, adapted to be continuously or inter mittently injected into the retort 2 through .5 the pipe 15 provided with the valve 16 for the control of the steam. The steam in a highly superheated condition passes through the retort 2 carrying therewith the volatile gases into a pipe 17 provided with the tap 1 0 depending pipes 18, 19 and 20 communicating with a plurality of condensation tanks 21, 22 and 23, which may be water-jacketed as shown at 24: and preferably provided with glass or other ages (not shown).

25,26 and 2 designate outlet valves for the draining of the contents contained in the condensation tanks 21, 22 and 23.

The pi e 17 is'plugged at 31 and is prothe cross valves 28, 29 and 30 for 110 directing thevolatile gases into the desired condensation tanks.

32 designatesa pipe provided with the valve 33 for admitting a supply of wet steam ,into the pipe 15, thence into the retort 2 for application to the solids after distillation preparatory to the removal of said solids from said retort.

In the operation of my novel method of distillation, the carbonaceous materials are placed in the retort 2 through the manhole 11, which is then closed tightly and the valve 16 is opened or operated for the control of either an intermittent or continuous injeotion'of superheated steam into the retort to remove the air from said retort. The steam passing into the retort forms-an admixture with the volatile gases from the carbonaceous materials caused by the application of heat below said retort.

The admixture of superheated steam and volatile gases is carried by the steam pressure into the distributing pipe 17 where the oils or lighter products according to their specific gravity are distilled into their respective tanks 21, 22 and 23.

The remaining solids in the retort 2 are then subjected to the action of wet steam controlled by the valve 33 in the pipe 32, said wet steam being conveyed into the pipe 15 and thence to the retort according to requirements. The solid products are removed through the manhole 12 and the liqu id products are removed through the opposite manhole 13.

I have deemed it unnecessary to show or describe in greater detail the internal construction of the boiler 14, as any suitable type of steam boiler capable of generating wet or superheated steam may be em yed, and any suitable form of retort 2 or condensation tanks 21, 22 and 23 of the character heretofore referred to, may be employed, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

It will now be' apparent that-I have devised a novel and useful method of distillation, which embodies the features of advantage enumerated as desirable in the statement of the invention and the above description, and while I have, in the present instance,shown and described a preferred embodiment thereof which will give in practice satisfactory and reliable results, it is tobe understood that the same is susceptible of modification in various particulars without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention or sacrificing. any of its advantages. Having thus described my invention, what 'I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

A method of distilling, which consists in first charging the retort with solid carbonaceous material, next hermetically sealing said retort, next admitting superheated steam until all air is exhausted from said re tort, next externally heating said retort, next withdrawing the vapors from said retort by means of superheated steam, next condensing said vapors, next cooling the material in sald' retortby a current of. Wet steam prior to its removal from said retort.

GEORGE F. KENDALL.

Witnesses:

C. D. MGVAY, K. M. BROPH'Y. 

